Hands-on Lion Conservation, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Hands-on Lion Conservation, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Duration: from 2 Weeks to 4 Weeks
Countries: Zimbabwe
Assist with hands-on lion conservation and rehabilitation with the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, as your backdrop! Over 200,000 lions used to roam the African continent, as recently as 1975. The latest estimates show an 80 – 90% population decline in the last 30 years. The end objective of the Victoria Falls lion project, along with our Antelope Park program, is the reintroduction of the offspring of captive-bred lions into the wild by means of a four-stage process, which you will learn more about during your involvement with the project.
Walk and work with lions in this exclusive private game reserve. Be involved in the research of lions' behaviour and work with us on the world's only programme for their release into the wild. Also assist with orphaned Elephants and the wildlife management and boundary patrols of the reserve.
The highlights
- Walk alongside lions as part of the pride and enjoy the exhilaration of being part of a hunt as the young cubs learn to stalk their prey
- Bottle feed and help take care of younger lion cubs, should there be any in camp at the time
- Work on the world’s first, and currently the only, programme for the release of lions back into the wild of its kind.
- Experience the African bush in a very special way on this private reserve. Explore the savannah grasslands on horseback or whilst riding on African Elephants
- Have horse riding lessons from our experienced guides
- Make friends for life with the other international volunteers on the programme
What's included
- Project Fee: This entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as food for lions and elephants, management and maintenance of lion enclosures, and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitation programme.
- All transfers to and from and overnights in Bulawayo or Harare International Airports upon your arrival and departure.
- Assistance in your projects and comprehensive orientation by various trained guides and staff during your stay.
- Any wildlife education talks that take place during your stay and that you might wish to partake in.
- Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day.
- Unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day.
- Weekly laundry service during your stay.
- The service of a cleaner to attend to your room each day.
Where will I sleep?
You will be staying in comfortable twin or quad room thatched accommodation at the main reserve camp and situated next to a beautiful dam. Volunteers have separate shower & toilet facilities to the rest of the camp which are located adjacent to the sleeping area. Your room will be cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff, and free use of the laundry service is available to all volunteers.
This placement would suit:
Anyone who is passionate about wildlife conservation in Africa and wants to take part in a once in a lifetime volunteering experience!
Do you accept non UK citizens?
Yes
Do you accept applicants with disabilities?
It would depend on the severity of the disability.
User Comments:
“The staff were beyond marvelous. I felt such joy and happiness and caring from everyone. I feel I have a new family now that I will stay in contact with forever. Lions are magnificent. It is a wonderful dream come true.”
~ by Jeffri Gordon
Inclusions
accommodation, food, airport pickup
African Impact
African Impact is a multi-award winning volunteer travel organisation offering meaningful interactive volunteer projects throughout Africa. Founded in 2004 at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe, we have over 8 years’ experience and having facilitated over 10,000 volunteers in over 12 countries across the continent, making us the largest on-the-ground African specialists in volunteer tourism. We offer a range of conservation and community volunteering and internship programs and also facilitate group and family travel. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not just about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring; it’s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give those volunteers in return. We want to empower our volunteers to make a difference and have them bring about long lasting positive change on local communities and the physical environments in which we work.
